Cosmopolitan Hotel

Liliane Opsomer

Cosmopolitan Hotel a Glittering Resort

The Cosmopolitan exudes energy and an offbeat hipness, making it truly an indie hotel. Positioned at the northeast corner of the CityCenter complex, the dual-tower hotel is a 2,995-suite high-rise with a full casino, 14 restaurants, three pools, a showroom, day and night clubs, a spa, a retail arcade, two fitness centers, tennis courts, three floors of meeting space, and subterranean parking. Glittering is the word best ascribed to this unthemed, design-driven high-end super-resort. Situated on 8.7 acres, this footprint makes the layout overwhelmingly vertical, with plenty of escalators and elevators, so you can ride more, walk less. Pedestrian overpasses along CityCenter lead into the second level, three entrances provide access from the Strip, and there are large foyers at the East and West Towers from the West Harmon Avenue approach.

The literal and figurative centerpiece of the property, and its premier attraction, is the soaring 65-foot showcase chandelier of opulent transparent crystal drapes suspended from the fourth floor. Comprised of 2 million octagon-shaped crystal beads, these translucent panels enclose three cocktail lounges on three levels. Enjoy a beverage as walls of sparkling curtains shimmer around you.

Epitomizing an affluent lifestyle, the distinctive Terrace Studios of the Cosmopolitan Hotel, configured as 620-square-foot suites, are spacious and handsomely appointed. Each includes a den with sofa, easy chairs, and a desk separated by a low divider and a small kitchen. The latest technology allows guests to book reservations for the spa, restaurants, and shows—and to preset music, lights, heat, and air-conditioning. For a few dollars more, the slightly larger City Rooms are similarly configured and decorated. Most rooms have sliding glass doors opening onto private open-air terraces with wicker loveseats and footstools, allowing guests to enjoy views of the Bellagio’s lake and gardens, the towers of CityCenter, the Strip’s skyline, or the Las Vegas cityscape. Smoking is allowed on the terraces.

Countless glistening reflective surfaces of clear and colored glass, metal, marble, tile, crystals, bulbs, and mirrors invigorate the curved 110,000-square-foot casino. Overhead is a rampage of visually voluptuous designer lighting that delineates the slots, table games, roulette, and high-limit sections. Sheer fabrics divide gaming sectors but do not minimize the size of the casino. Along the periphery are the 1950s vintage Vesper lounge adjacent the lobby, the Queue Bar (so named for its line-up foyer for the upstairs Marquee nightclub), Henry’s Scottish-themed restaurant and bar at the north entrance, and the street-level Bond Bar. Because of horizontal space constraints, the Race and Sports book is not adjacent to the casino but located on the second floor. The Chelsea Showroom, booking top-flight, nontraditional rock, R&B, and rap acts, is in the fourth-floor convention area.

Three distinct rooftop pools grace the Cosmopolitan Hotel. Largest is the fourth-floor Boulevard Pool on the east side, which overlooks the Strip and is configured with an infinity pool, heated pool, and Jacuzzis. The play area offers complimentary table tennis, volleyball, croquet, a pool table, Play Station, and more. The Overlook is a six-level sunning and shading terrace with lounges, daybeds, and tables with umbrellas. A stage provides entertainment, including summer concerts, and movies can be watched on the marquee. The Overlook Bar and Grill serves alfresco small plates and blue-plate specials. The Marquee Club Day Pool on the south side has four levels of lounges, tables, and umbrellas, along with three-story cabana lofts. In the evening, the pool area is an extension of the nightclub. The 14th floor’s permanently sunlit southern exposure houses the curving Bamboo Pool, with stationary in-pool mattresses and cabanas dotting the perimeter. A bar with flat-panel TVs allows additional visual distractions.

The posh four-level Marquee nightclub is divided into three sections: the small Boom Box with high-tech audio and visual; the quiet (really!) Library looks like an English club with dark woods, deep leather chairs and divans, pool tables, and a library of books about Las Vegas; and the three-stage main club opens onto the private area of the Boulevard Pool.

All restaurants make their Las Vegas debut at the Cosmo, and many are clustered on the third floor: José Andrés’ Jaleo tapas bar; D.O.C.G. wine bar, serving Italian comfort food; Scarpetta, offering seasonal Italian cuisine; high-end STK chop house with on-site DJ; Estiatorio Milos, with fresh Mediterranean fish and crustaceans flown in daily; Rose. Rabbit. Lie., combining upscale dining and creative cocktails; and Blue Ribbon Bar and Grill, for Japanese fusion. Framed menus are mounted at all host counters.

The high-end, second-floor cavalcade of shops features retailers who have no brick-and-mortar stores elsewhere in Las Vegas. Dining options on this floor include Va Bene café, Holstein’s burgers and franks, and China Poblano with noodles and tacos to take out or eat in. Tucked away in the convention area is the Wicked Spoon buffet. For a great photo opportunity, check out the giant spike heels along the corridor.

The serene Sahra Spa & Hammam offers holistic treatments in a 30,000-square-foot Turkish- and Moroccan-themed facility designed with native desert materials. The Violet Salon provides hair, nail, and other beauty services. Calming Berber music plays throughout the 30 treatment rooms.

Each tower has its own fitness center. The larger 5,250-square-foot, 14th-floor gym in the West Tower overlooks the tennis courts and at the far end features a boxing studio with regulation ring for sparring. Both facilities provide every conceivable model of exercise machine on the market. Outdoor Pilates and yoga classes or individual instruction can be scheduled. The smaller (2,087-square-foot) East Tower gym is open 24 hours (on the 14th floor).

The target guest market for the Cosmopolitan Hotel is sophisticated urban dwellers and travelers with a taste for the offbeat. The Cosmopolitan is fun and mildly unconventional. While the resort is a serious contender for the Las Vegas visitor, the refreshing impression imparted by the hotel is that it does not take itself too seriously and exudes a sense of fun.